Around The Towns 5/5/2019

Despite a rainy day, residents turned out to recycle tires and donate funds to help maintain the borough’s Veteran’s Memorial Park at a tire recycling event last weekend.

Eighty tires were collected to be recycled, plus $150 in donations for the park, at the borough’s DPW garage. McCarthy Tire recycled the donated tires, and staff from Davis Tire of Scranton volunteered at the pickup site.

— CLAYTON OVER

cover@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5363;

@ClaytonOver on Twitter

Two classes will give participants the chance to learn about nature and produce art.

On May 11 and May 18, both Saturdays, all are invited to join in a creative endeavor to learn about the trees of NEPA, then make handcrafted tiles from the leaves of these trees. Each participant will create a unique work of tile art. The tiles will then be used to design a handcrafted tile backsplash in the serving area at the Gathering Place for Community, Arts and Education, 304 S. State St.

On May 11 at 2 p.m., Kelley Stewart will present an information session on indigenous trees and their importance to the NEPA ecosystem. Stewart, a forest specialist at Wayne Conservation District, plans to have those attending learn to identify species throughout seasons using characteristics such as bark, buds, leaves, flowers and seeds.

Then, on May 18 at 2 p.m. at the Abington Art Studio, 208 Depot St., Diana Lombardi will demonstrate how to imprint native leaves onto tiles and make the design permanent. Each participant may pick which native leaves to include as part of the tile. The project is underwritten by the Overlook Estate Foundation and will become a permanent part of the Gathering Place — not only a work of art created by community members but also a tribute to the beauty of the trees.

For information, visit www.GatheringPlaceCS.org or call 570-881-7612. Registration is requested.

— CLAYTON OVER

cover@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5363;

@ClaytonOver on Twitter

Lackawanna County

Commissioners on Wednesday recognized University of Scranton student Zoë Haggerty and Clarks Summit resident Judy Detter for their work promoting BuildUp — a campaign inspired by Haggerty’s late mother.

Rebecca Haggerty was diagnosed in May 2017 with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer that ultimately took her life. Still, thanks to the work of Zoë Haggerty, Detter and members of their families, her personal philosophy that it’s better to build people up than to tear them down lives on through more than 2,500 uplifting messages left for strangers in the form of handwritten notes.

“That was really just her mantra her entire life, to build people up,” Zoë Haggerty said of her late mother. “Mrs. Detter and I really took that and ran with it. We thought there was something really important and empowering with that message.”

In March, Zoë Haggerty and Detter took the BuildUp campaign’s message to John F. Kennedy Elementary School in Scranton, where they left uplifting notes for students. They plan to continue sharing the notes.

“It’s just a way for us to kind of further my mom’s message and keep her legacy alive,” Zoë Haggerty said.

Also on Wednesday:

nMadison Scarfaro, field director for Marsy’s Law for Pennsylvania, presented Commissioner Laureen Cummings with the organization’s Guardian of Victims’ Rights Award, which “recognizes those who are strong advocates for crime victims and their families,” Scarfaro said. The organization is working to enshrine Pennsylvania crime victims’ existing statutory rights in the state’s constitution, which already enumerates rights for those accused and convicted of crimes.

n Commissioners appointed Dominic Mastri of Scranton to a three-year term on the Lackawanna County Disability Action Committee. That term begins immediately and expires at the end of 2021.

n Commissioners proclaimed May 2019 as Child Abuse Awareness Month in the county.

— JEFF HORVATH

jhorvath@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9141;

@jhorvathTT on Twitter

Mayfield

The William Walker Hose Company will raffle off 10 guns, or more than $3,000, as part of its annual gun/cash raffle from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday.

For $25 per ticket, attendees also get a buffet dinner and door prizes at the hose company, 803 Penn Ave.

“You pay $25, but you get a buffet,” said hose company spokeswoman Karen Bowerman. “Even if you didn’t win that gun, you at least win a meal.”

Participants must be at least 18 years old to purchase a ticket or attend the event, and they must have a Pennsylvania driver’s license, meeting all state and federal laws and regulations required to obtain a firearm. Prizes must be claimed within 90 days, according to the hose company.

Tickets are available from hose company members, at the Mayfield Borough Building or by calling 570-282-6059.

— FRANK WILKES LESNEFSKY

flesnefsky@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9100 x5181;

@flesnefskyTT on Twitter

North Abington Twp.

The nonprofit Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation received funding last year from the Scranton Area Community Foundation to improve accessible walking paths and erect educational panels at Lackawanna State Park — a project that should begin soon.

The Scranton Area Community Foundation awarded a $7,500 grant supporting the project in October, said Cathy Fitzpatrick, the nonprofit’s grants and scholarships manager.

Designed to ensure safe and accessible walking paths that promote healthy outdoor activities and exercise, the project involves repaving existing paths at the park. The two educational panels to be installed along the trail will allow guests to take a self-guided tour of the park’s different habitats.

The project, which will begin in early summer, should benefit thousands of park visitors each year, park officials said.

— JEFF HORVATH

jhorvath@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9141;

@jhorvathTT on Twitter

AROUND THE TOWNS appears each Sunday, spotlighting the people and events in your neighborhoods. If you have an idea for an Around the Towns note, contact the writer for your town, or the Yes!Desk at 348-9121 or yesdesk@timesshamrock.com.